Knysna businesses support dual mayoral 'dignity drives'

KNYSNA NEWS - A local shopping centre recently played its part in two funding initiatives backed by the Knysna mayor himself with donations to both coming from the centre's management as well as tenants.

Knysna Mayor Levael Davis launched two dignity initiatives, namely the 'Back to School' and 'Her Dignity' drives, in December 2021 with the help of the centre.

"I decided to support both these initiatives by running a stationery and sanitary towel collection drive in Woodmill Lane throughout the month of February," said Woodmill Lane Shopping Centre manager Madelé van Niekerk.

She split the centre's community involvement budget between the two mayoral initiatives, with half going towards purchasing stationery for under-privileged primary school learners as part of the Back to School drive. The other half was used to purchase 156 packs of sanitary towels for the Her Dignity drive.

A further 14 packs were collected from tenants and the public, with Clicks forming the bulk of the collections.

"These sanitary towels will be placed in a box in certain schools and the local library for girls in need who do not have access to the financial resources to purchase these items themselves," Van Niekerk explained.

The stationery and sanitary towels were handed over to councillors Jason White and Elmarie Maxim on 25 February. "Both Jason and Elmarie are assisting the mayor to facilitate these initiatives."

In a letter from the municipality requesting Van Niekerk and Woodmill Lane's assistance, Maxim explained the two drives. "The Back to School Drive seeks to collect school clothes and stationery for the underprivileged primary school learners of the Greater Knysna," the letter read.

"Her Dignity is aimed at keeping our sisters and daughters in school. Too often girls at school battle with their menstrual health as they do not have the financial resources and often stay at home, missing valuable days at school and in most instances this is a stumbling block in their learning.

"We have identified that there is a need for assistance in this area. Together, we can ensure that our sisters and daughters don't miss a day at school."

Some of the ladies who work at Clicks who helped with the Her Dignity drive, from left: Errenay Witbooi, Tercia Christians and Amore Bowie.